Ladakh Turmoil: Violence in Leh Brings Sonam Wangchuk Under Spotlight

Ladakh, long celebrated as India’s “Crown Jewel” for its monasteries, glaciers, and strategic value, has been jolted by violent clashes that shattered its reputation for peace. Streets once known for prayer flags and meditative calm recently echoed with chaos, fire, and bloodshed. At the heart of this turmoil is Sonam Wangchuk—globally hailed as Ladakh’s climate innovator—who now finds himsel[

a bandh call pressing for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections. What began as a peaceful protest escalated ?quickly: angry crowds attacked government and Bharatiya Janata Party offices, vehicles were set ablaze, and violent clashes erupted with security forces. By evening, four people were dead, scores injured, and a CRPF van narrowly avoided being torched. With mobs targeting police stations and government property, authorities were forced to impose curfew.

For a land so often associated with calm spirituality, the images of burning vehicles and stone pelting came as a shock. Officials have suggested that the violence was not accidental but rather the culmination of months of agitation, further amplified by political forces.

The Shift in Wangchuk’s Image

Wangchuk’s rise to fame was carefully built. Known for inspiring a Bollywood character in 3 Idiots and earning international recognition for his environmental innovations, he was widely admired as an innovator and reformer. Yet, critics argue his changing positions reveal opportunism.

When Article 370 was revoked in 2019 and Ladakh became a Union Territory, Wangchuk publicly thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it the fulfilment of a “30-year-old dream.” Today, however, his stance has shifted—he accuses Delhi of betrayal and demands statehood. Supporters view this change as an adjustment to Ladakh’s evolving realities, while detractors see it as a sign of double standards.

The Phyang Land Dispute

The turning point, many believe, came with the cancellation of Wangchuk’s ambitious project. On August 21, 2025, the Leh administration revoked his 40-year lease on 135 acres of land in Phyang, granted for the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL). Authorities cited six years of inaction—no affiliation with a recognised university, little visible development, and crores in unpaid dues. Local villagers also complained of encroachment.

The order declared the lease void, directing Wangchuk to clear outstanding payments and return the land. He rejected the decision, calling it political vendetta. Soon after, he began a 35-day hunger strike, aligning himself with the broader demand for Sixth Schedule safeguards.

Funding Scrutiny

Wangchuk’s challenges deepened when his organisation, the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), lost its licence under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Officials alleged irregular reporting, fund diversion, and unauthorised use of foreign contributions.

Such concerns were not new. As far back as 2007, the Deputy Commissioner of Leh accused the group of occupying government land illegally and misusing funds. Security agencies reportedly flagged connections abroad, including China. While these issues predate the current dispute, their revival has fuelled claims of both financial impropriety and political targeting.

From Fast to Arrest

Wangchuk’s hunger strike drew national and international attention. Images of him wrapped in blankets in freezing conditions circulated widely, symbolising his defiance. He himself had predicted arrest, saying: “Sonam Wangchuk in jail is more dangerous to the government than outside.”

On September 25, one day after Leh’s protests spiraled into violence, he was detained under the National Security Act. For critics, this was the law catching up with an agitator. For supporters, it was a silencing of dissent.

Political Undercurrents

The agitation has been magnified by political players and social media campaigns, portraying Wangchuk as a modern-day Gandhi. Authorities, however, suspect a deliberate attempt to destabilise a sensitive border region. Whether the movement is a genuine expression of Ladakhi concerns or the result of outside influence remains a matter of debate.

The Stakes for Ladakh

Ladakh’s importance extends beyond its stunning landscapes. It borders China, hosts crucial Indian Army deployments, and contains reserves of rare earth minerals vital for modern industries. Any prolonged instability here poses risks far larger than local politics.

Wangchuk’s repeated comparisons to the Arab Spring, Sri Lanka’s economic collapse, and Bangladesh’s unrest have raised eyebrows. Critics interpret these as dangerous provocations in a fragile borderland, while his supporters see them as warnings ignored by Delhi.

Conclusion

The turbulence in Ladakh highlights the uneasy mix of genuine grievances, political opportunism, and personal controversies. Four lives have been lost, dozens injured, and Ladakh’s fragile peace shaken. Whether Sonam Wangchuk will ultimately be remembered as a reformer silenced by the state or as a provocateur who destabilised his homeland remains to be seen.

What is certain is that this unrest goes beyond glaciers and climate campaigns—it strikes at the sovereignty and security of India’s most sensitive frontier.

 

 

 

Reference Story Link: https://www.oneindia.com/india/ladakh-unrest-violence-in-leh-puts-spotlight-on-sonam-wangchuk-7872419.html